We are lowering our ratings on Cott Corp., including our long-term corporate rating on the company to 'B' from 'B+', reflecting the expected acquisition of DSS Group Inc. (parent of DS Services of America Inc.; B/Stable/--) and associated financing. At the same time, we are removing all our ratings on the company from CreditWatch where they had been placed with negative implications Nov. 6, 2014. We are also assigning our 'B-' issue-level rating and '5' recovery rating to Cott's proposed US$615 million unsecured notes due 2019. The ratings reflect our view of the company's modest positions in the mature carbonated soft drink and juice markets and good market positions in U.S. home and office water delivery from the expected acquisition